Created: Tuesday, May 10, 2011 Updated: Wednesday, May 11, 2011 @ 07:00 AM IST

Online Petition Creator: Syed Tanveeruddin (resident of Siddharthanagar, Mysore, Karnataka, India)

Environment Support Group (ESG) and others filed a Public Interest Litigation in the High Court of Karnataka in May 2008.
http://www.esgindia.org/campaigns/Tree%20felling/Hasire%20Usiru/legal/PIL_ESG_RoadWidening_Indexed_Final_HC_2008.pdf

PIL submitted to the Karnataka High Court against road widening projects in Bangalore - May, 2008

Indian Constitution and Environment Protection

http://www.delhilawyers.org/indian-constitution-and-environment-protection.html 

Indian Constitution is one of the few Constitutions in the world which is containing provisions relating to environment / environmental protection and it has been effectively mentioned in the various provisions of the Constitution of India. All the provisions in the Constitution have been incorporated for the welfare of the citizens.

Preamble of the Constitution of India talks about the Socialistic pattern of the society.The Socialistic society may include decent standard of living and pollution free environment and there are many provisions in the Constitution which talk about environment / environenmental protection like:

Article 51A(g) imposes obligation on State and individual to protect and improve environment.

Article 47 is one of the Directive principles of State Policy which aims to raise standard of living and public health of people which cannot be achieved without a good environment and it is the responsibility of the State to promote measures which protect the environment.

Article 48 comprehensively states that the State shall protect the environment.

Article 21 of the Constitution of India talks about the Right to life and Right to live in pollution free environment and this is only possible when the environment / environmental protection is given staple priority and steps are being taken in order to provide Sustainable Development to the coming generations.

http://www.elaw.org/node/2073 

Part IV - Directive Principles Of State Policy

Article 48A. Protection and improvement of environment and safeguarding of forests and wild life.

The State shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wild life of the country.

Part IV A - Fundamental Duties

Article 51A. Fundamental duties

It shall be the duty of every citizen of India...
- (g) to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wild life, and to have compassion for living creatures;

Karnataka High Court intervenes to check tree felling Deccan Herald Saturday, February 19, 2011
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/139070/hc-intervenes-check-tree-felling.html 

The Karnataka High Court on Friday, February 18, 2011 directed the Karnataka State government to file objections in connection with the indiscriminate felling of trees in the Bangalore City.

Hearing a suo motu petition, the Division Bench comprising Chief Justice J S Khehar and Justice A S Bopanna directed the Karnataka State to file objections within two weeks and has appointed Advocate Vaishali Hegde as amicus curie to assist the court.

Following media reports, Justice Kumar had on Saturday, November 6, 2010 written to the authorities about felling trees for road widening and had expressed concern over the disappearing greenery despite various regulations.

Justice Shylendra Kumar had suspected the existence of a tree mafia in operation, controlling the authorities to ensure chopping of trees to help industries dependent on supply of timber and wood products. In his letter, the judge had stated that the traffic congestion in the Bangalore City is not due to the narrow roads, but due to lack of proper planning, particularly to regulate traffic.

Stating that the administrators have failed to protect trees which are over 100 years old, the Court has said the matter should be examined by the Karnataka High Court as a PIL.

The petition says that BBMP has violated provisions under Forest Act 1927, Karnataka Forest Act 1963, Karnataka Preservation of Trees Act 1976, Forest (Conservation) Act 1980 and Environment (Protection) Act 1986.

Stating that there is no justification for the proposition that the felling will ease traffic flow, the Court has stated that the orders passed by Deputy Director, forest and tree officer, Commissioner of Police and Department of Town Planning are illegal and blatantly an arbitrary exercise of power.

The petition also stated that any order by tree officer to felling amounts to the violation of Article 14 and termed it as ultra vires (beyond their powers). The court has termed the notification issued by Department of Town planning to fell tree as prima facie illegal and has sought as an interim prayer to defer the felling until the court is satisfied to the legality of the ongoing road widening project.

It has also sought directions to constitute a Metropolitan Planning Committee and an order to replant trees in necessary proportions so as to maintain the standard as stipulated under Section 7 (c) of Karnataka Tree Preservation (KPT) Act 1976. The petition has also sought to set up a tree court to assist tree officer to ensure proper decision on urban forestry.

Hasire Usiru: Campaign to reclaim roads as the public commons
http://www.esgindia.org/campaigns/Tree%20felling/Hasire%20Usiru/background.html

The Karnataka Town and Country Planning Act, 1961 (KTCP Act)
http://dpal.kar.nic.in/.%5C11%20of%201963%20(E).pdf 

Karnataka Town and Country Planning Act
http://www.esgindia.org/Documentation/statutes.html#kstatutes 

The Karnataka Town and Country Planning Act, 1961 (PDF - 684 KB)
http://www.esgindia.org/Documentation/statutes/Kar_TCP_Act.pdf

The Karnataka Town and Country Planning and Certain Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2004 (PDF - 2.66 MB)
http://www.esgindia.org/Documentation/statutes/Kar_TCP_AmendBill_2004.pdf

Karnataka Town and Country Planning (Regularisation of Unauthorised Development or Constructions) Rules, 2007 (HTM - 52 KB)

The Karnataka Preservation Of Trees Act, 1976 (KPT Act) - PDF
http://karnatakaforest.gov.in/English/Acts_Rules/acts/KTP_Act_1976.pdf

Karnataka Preservation of Trees Act - HTML
http://www.esgindia.org/campaigns/Tree%20felling/current/Tree%20Act.html

The Indian Forest Act, 1927 (IF Act)
http://envfor.nic.in/legis/forest/forest4.pdf 

The Karnataka Forest Act ,1963 (KF Act)
http://www.karnatakaforest.gov.in/English/Acts_Rules/acts/KF_Act_1963.pdf 

The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 [FC Act]
http://www.karnatakaforest.gov.in/English/Acts_Rules/acts/FC_Act_1980.pdf 

The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 [EPA]
http://himachal.nic.in/environment/notifications/The_Environment_(Protection)_act_1986.pdf 

National Urban Transport Policy
http://www.urbanindia.nic.in/policies/TransportPolicy.pdf 

National Policy on Urban Street Vendors
http://nceuis.nic.in/Street%20Vendors%20policy.pdf 

The Street Vendors (Protection and Promotion of Livelihood) Bill, 2011 - NASVI Proposed National Law 

NASVI's Proposed Draft Constituion [ Views are invited)

PM for a new deal for Urban Street Vendors
http://pmindia.nic.in/prelease/pcontent.asp?id=989
http://pmindia.nic.in/prelease/content4print.asp?id=989

Supreme Court Verdict directing government to enact law for street vendors 

Hasire Usiru: Campaign to reclaim roads as the public commons
http://www.esgindia.org/campaigns/Tree%20felling/Hasire%20Usiru/background.html

Karnataka High Court admits PIL against Road Widening Projects in Bangalore - Issues emergent notices to Respondents May 30th 2008 (Friday, May 30, 2008) - Download the PDF

Karnataka High Court directs BBMP to widen roads in strict accordance with Karnataka Town and Country Planning Act (KTCP) Act - 16 March, 2009 (Monday, March 16, 2009). (Download PDF - 17 KB) (download PDF - 17 KB) (download order) 

Environment Support Group's or ESG's Press Release dated Thursday, April 02, 2009
High Court directs Bangalore Road Widening to strictly comply with Town and Country Planning Act  - 2 April, 2009 (Thursday, April 02, 2009). (Download PDF - 52 KB)

Widen Roads only in strict compliance with Karnataka Town and Country Planning Act (KTCP Act) and Karnataka Tree Preservation Act (KPT Act) - Landmark Decision of High Court of Karnataka on 16 March 2009 (Monday, March 16, 2009)

Mysore to have 'Raja Marga' soon The Hindu Friday, September 11, 2009

http://www.hindu.com/2009/09/11/stories/2009091159150300.htm 

Stretch between Hardinge Circle and Bannimantap to be developed as 'royal path'

- Photo : M.A. Sriram

Reviving the past glory: Sri Chamaraja Circle in front of the Amba Vilas Palace in Mysore is part of the stretch to be developed as 'Raja Marga'.

In what could be described as a notable step to boost the city's heritage image, the four-km stretch between Hardinge Circle and Bannimantap (near Torch Light Parade Ground) may soon be converted into a "Raja Marga" ("royal path"). The Mysore City Corporation (MCC) has prepared an ambitious project to develop the stretch as it used to be during the rule of the maharajas.

The ambience and decor matching the heritage monuments and structures located along the stretch will be created giving it the "royal" image. The reason for developing the stretch as "Raja Marga" is that the Mysore maharajas used this stretch during the Dasara festivities and worshipped the "Banni" tree at Bannimantap. Moreover, the stretch between Statue Circle opposite the palace and Bannimantap Circle has a heritage character since it is the Dasara procession route.

The Rs. 16-crore project has received the Government's nod. Funds for the same will be released from the Rs. 100-crore special grant sanctioned to the MCC by the State Government. The project has been reportedly prepared by consulting experts.

Sources in the MCC told The Hindu that the people who had expertise in executing heritage projects had been approached for execution of this novel project.

"This project cannot be taken up by any contractor. It requires special care and planning since the aim is to develop the stretch giving it a royal and heritage touch. A person using this stretch should get the feel of moving on the royal path. With this intention, the project has been conceptualised and will be executed without much alteration," the sources said.

Heritage workers and sculptors from Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh would be approached and a Class 1 contractor from Andhra Pradesh, who had a team of experts, had made his bid for the contract. "Since it is a special project, we will consult experts before proceeding further," a senior official of the MCC said.

According to the plan, sculptures resembling elephant carrying "ambari", royal images, heritage lamp posts that once adorned the streets of Mysore during the erstwhile princely State, beautification of footpaths with exquisite Italian tiles, and many such things have been proposed under the project.

Sayyaji Rao Road, a commercial hub, is part of the stretch. It could be challenging for the authorities to execute their plan here since the footpath is occupied by hawkers. In 2008, when Ayub Khan was the Mayor, the corporation proposed to widen and beautify Sayyaji Rao Road in keeping with the heritage character of the city. Barring widening of a portion of road and sprucing up of footpath with anti-skid pre-cast cement concrete tiles, nothing else was done under the project. In fact, the work did not proceed further following the issue over felling of trees to widen the road. This drew opposition from environmentalists and the project was stopped.

Raja Marga to be ready for Dasara Friday, July 02, 2010

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mysore/Raja-Marga-to-be-ready-for-Dasara/articleshow/6121298.cms

The ambitious project to enhance the city's aesthetics is now underway. The plan to upgrade and beautify the city's most famous stretch, where the caravan of elephants chug along, during Dasara season is reaching the implementation stages. On Friday, July 02, 2010 top administrators led by deputy commissioner Harsh Gupta, took a tour of 4.5 km stretch connecting the Mysore Palace to Banni Mantap grounds, commonly known as Dasara procession route, which is slated to be developed as Raja Marga.

The grand plan is to enhance its beauty by matching it up to the regale event it hosts annually. Police commissioner Sunil Agarwal and corporation commissioner K S Raykar accompanied by a battery of officials made the spot inspection.

The project funded under the CM's special grants of Rs 100 crore was pushed forward vigorously by the then mayor Ayub Khan, when the officials were planning the allocation. But it remained a non-starter owing to financial issues leading to cancellation of the tender twice. When urban development minister S Suresh Kumar was reviewing the city's development plans some four months ago (March 2010), he picked up this lapse and directed the officials to make amendments to the plan. Now, the plan is back in action and ready for implementation.

What is planned to jazz up the Jumboo Savari route are ornamental street lights, matching monuments lined up on the stretch whereas new structures are planned to be added, matching to its environs. This will be a no-advertisement zone, an official stated.

What has come in handy for the officials is that many of the monuments lined up on the stretch from the Hardinge Circle to Sir M Visveswaraya circle (Ayurveda college junction) are in the custody of the government departments allowing them to make changes needed. The reworked project stands at Rs 19 crore. A part of the stretch is expected to be ready this Dasara (in October 2010).

Even as they plan the groundwork, officials are moving in to implement the heritage core area development project funded under the JNNURM. The project envisages vehicular traffic decongestion around the Mysore Palace allowing more space for pedestrians. The Rs 40 crore project promotes non-motor vehicles that will ply in the palace surroundings. The MCC has devised its plan to promote tonga ride announced in this budget around the JNNURM project.

Raja Marga is finally on its way The Hindu Saturday, Jul 03, 2010

http://www.hindu.com/2010/07/03/stories/2010070361120300.htm

Spot inspection of the proposed route carried out by officials

The stretch from palace and Hardinge Circle to Millennium Circle has been identified for the road

Palace surroundings will also see development

On track: Deputy Commissioner of Mysore Harsh Gupta, Police Commissioner Sunil Agarwal and Mysore City Corporation Commissioner K.S. Raykar discussing the Raja Marga project in Mysore on Friday, July 02, 2010. - Photo : The Hindu

The Mysore City Corporation's project to develop a Raja Marga (royal road) inched a step closer as the officials conducted a spot inspection on Friday, July 02, 2010.

The 4.5-km stretch of road from the Mysore Palace and Hardinge Circle to the Millennium Circle in Bannimantap has been identified for upgradation as a royal road, and its environs and ambience would be embellished with Government funding.

Senior officials, including MCC Commissioner K.S. Raykar, Commissioner of Police Sunil Agarwal and Deputy Commissioner Harsh Gupta inspected the place and discussed the project proposal. It also entails development of the palace surroundings as a heritage area.

The concept of Raja Marga once ready, would enrich the visitors' experience.

The ambitious project was mooted by the MCC almost a year ago. The entire stretch is the royal procession route of the famed Mysore Dasara taken out during the Maharaja's era.

Landmarks on the way

The Raja Marga also includes prominent landmarks of the city such as the K.R. Circle and Chamaraja Circle, and is being taken up with funding from the Chief Minister's special grant of Rs.100 crore.

The project is expected to cost around Rs.16 crore

Similarly, the palace surroundings will be developed as a core heritage zone with funding from the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) and the pedestrian pathways, decorative lamps, railings with aesthetically designed grills will embellish the surroundings to enrich the visitors' experience.

Stone laid for 'Raja Marga' project The Hindu Sunday, Aug 01, 2010

http://www.hindu.com/2010/08/01/stories/2010080155530300.htm

It will cover the 4.8-km-long Dasara procession route

Work will be completed before Dasara 2011

Mysore's image as a heritage city is set for a major boost, with the laying of the foundation stone for the construction of the "Raja Marga" here on Saturday, July 31, 2010. The path, which will stretch from Hardinge Circle to Millennium Circle in Bannimantap, will cover the 4.8-km-long Dasara procession route.

Minister for Urban Development, Law and Parliamentary Affairs S. Suresh Kumar, who is also the district in-charge, laid the foundation stone on the premises of Town Hall here.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Kumar said: "The project will be developed along the lines of Rajpath in New Delhi. The work is expected to be completed before Dasara 2011."

Mayor Sandesh Swamy, S.A. Ramdas and Satyanarayana, MLAs, Tontadarya, MLC, and corporation Commissioner K.S. Raykar were among those present on the occasion.

The Mysore City Corporation has taken up the Raja Marga project as part of the Mysore Vision 2025. The initiative has been funded by the Chief Minister's special grant of Rs. 100 crore for the city.

The route passes by prominent landmarks of the city such as K.R. Circle and Chamaraja Circle.

According to corporation officials, pavements, heritage lamp-posts that once adorned the streets of Mysore, stone railings, stone benches, landscaped parks, signboards and fountains are part of the project.

Mysore City Corporation, Mysore

Number:Mai.Na.Paa/Sa.Kaa.Aa/Raja Marga/42/10-11

Office of the Superintending Engineer (SE)
Mysore City Corporation, Mysore
Date: Tuesday, December 21, 2010 / 21-12-2010 / 21-Dec-2010

To
The Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF)
Mysore Sub-division,
Mysore.

Sir,

Subject: Regarding giving / granting of permission to fell / cut / axe / chop / butcher / slaughter / raze the necessary trees that come on (the truly world class) Raja Marga / Royal Path (of International Standards / Level).

Reference: This office letter number MCC/Raja Marga/08/10-11 dated 07-09-2010 / 07-Sep-2010 / Tuesday, September 7, 2010.

Regarding the above mentioned subject work has been (already) started to develop the existing roads (Albert Victor Road, Sayyaji Rao Road and Dr. Nelson Mandela Road) into a Raja Marga / Royal Path from Mysore City's Hardinge Circle to / till T.N. Narasimhamurthy or Millennium Circle (near the LIC office) by taking / utilizing funds under / from the Hon'ble/Honourable Chief Minister's (Chief Minister of Karnataka's) Rs.100.00 crore special grant/grants.

The world famous Dasara Procession / Jamboo Savari route passes through these roads.

This / The concerned plan has been designed on the benchmark / benchmarked level of (truly world class) International Standards.

On these roads various small and big / huge / mammoth / jumbo-sized (full-grown or fully grown) trees are there with their roots spread out or having (been) spread out.

In the proposed plan of Raja Marga works storm water drains on both the roadsides and separate / independent / exclusive ducts are to be constructed to make arrangements for electricity cables and telephone cables (for BSNL / Tata / Reliance / Airtel / Idea / etc.)

During the concerned works there is a possibility of some / few trees accidentally falling down / collapsing because of which there is a possibility of occurrence of accidental / achaanak loss of (movable/immovable) property / properties and deaths / injuries / pains or loss of lives.

Inspite of it / this, permission had been requested / sought in the referenced letter to fell / cut / axe / chop / butcher / slaughter / raze 58 trees by / after saving some trees.

But since the Raja Marga / Royal Path work / works has / have been designed as per the benchmark / benchmarked level of (truly world class) International Standards more trees have to be felled / cut / axed / chopped / butchered / slaughtered / razed.

Numbers have been provided / given to all the existing trees starting from T.N. Narasimhamurthy or Millennium Circle to the Hardinge Circle.

There are 190 trees on the Left Side of the roads and also 203 trees on the Right Side of the roads.

The total number of trees is 393.

The details of the trees that are to be felled / cut / axed / chopped / butchered / slaughtered / razed are as seen / mentioned below.

Right Side-137
Left Side---156
Total---------293

As mentioned above a total of 293 trees have to be felled / cut / axed / chopped / butchered / slaughtered / razed from the point of view of developing the Raja Marga / Royal Path as per the benchmarked / bench level of (truly world class) International Standards.

Permission has been requested / sought for this.

Yours faithfully,
Sd/-
Superintending Engineer (SE)
Mysore City Corporation
Mysore
21/12/2010 / 21-Dec-2010 / Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Inevitable Collateral damage to construct the Royal Path / Raja Marga

058 trees as per the ISI or BIS specifications - Desi / Deshi / Swadeshi / Indigenous version of the Royal Path / Raja Marga

293 trees as per the ISO specifications - Pardesi / Videshi or International Standard / Level or the world class version of the Royal Path / Raja Marga

So, as per the Mysore City Corporation (MCC) the quality standard / level of the Royal Path / Raja Marga is directly proportional to the number of trees felled / cut / axed / chopped / butchered / slaughtered / razed.

What an International Idea Sirji / Sirjis / Madamjis / Ma'amjis?!

Misplaced priority hampers JNNURM projects - Deccan Herald Saturday, January 1, 2011

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/125509/misplaced-priority-hampers-jnnurm-projects.html 

A senior officer, on the condition of anonymity, told Deccan Herald that the proposed Raja Marga should not have been taken up out of  Rs. 100 crore released by the State Government.

The construction of Raja Marga means removing the existing road and re-building it with the heritage touch. Instead of that work, the Mysore City Corporation should have taken up other works which are very much required by the citizens.

Stop construction of hallucinatory Raja Marga Deccan Herald Internet Edition dated Tuesday, March 01, 2011

Stop construction of hallucinatory Raja Marga Deccan Herald Print Edition dated Wednesday, March 02, 2011

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/142183/stop-construction-hallucinatory-raja-marga.html

Threat to trees

The Mysore City Corporation (MCC) wants to raze a total of 250-300 fully-grown / full-grown trees from K R Circle to Bannimantap to construct the hallucinatory 5.4 kms of 'Raja Marga' visualised by the various civic agencies and the district administration on the annual Dasara procession (Jamboo Savari) route.








Albert Victor Road dug up to construct a hallucinatory 'Raja Marga' from Hardinge Circle to Bannimantap in Mysore.

Frenzied digging to construct a storm water drain on one roadside has started for/from the past two to three months or so from the Hardinge Circle on the one side of Albert Victor Road.

Interlocking tiles have been removed from one roadside footpath that is parallel to Curzon Park Block 01 ( Dr Rajkumar Park ) and stacked on the park's compound wall.  UGD (Underground Drainage lines) are being relocated. There will be lampposts on the roadsides at every 60 ft.

There will be one metre storm water drains, 75 cm ducts each for electricity cables of Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation Limited (Cesc) and telephone ducts on either side of the road.

No noted historian has confirmed the existence of the imaginary Raja Marga even during pre-Independent India.

To siphon off public funds

It is just a figment of wild imagination of unscrupulous elements to siphon off  public money of  Rs.18.65 crore for just 5.4 Kms (at Rs.3.43 crore per km) and is just another example of maladministration of MCC,  which is unfortunately behaving roguishly ever since JNNURM funds have been sanctioned in/since 2008/2009.

This is also another attempt to shrink the footpath to less than 5 ft although it should be technically 13 ft in busy commercial areas in accordance with the vehicle centric, unscientific, outdated and outmoded IRC (Indian Road Congress) footpath norms which haven't been revised since 1988.

IRC norms unfortunately decide footpath width based on the number of Passenger Car Units (PCUs).

Shrinking footpaths

Electricity and telephone poles, transformers, information display boards will encroach upon the space meant for pedestrians on the shrunken roadside footpaths leaving no space whatsoever for the spectators to view the Dasara procession.

Proactive citizens need to file a complaint with the Lokayukta regarding the maladministration of MCC to stop the construction of the Raja Marga before it completely destroys the greenery and heritage of the entire Mysore City.

I'll be filing it as soon as possible.

- Syed Tanveeruddin
Member Karanji and Siddharthanagar Tax Payers' Association (KSTPA)

JNNURM report on March 14, says Minister The Hindu Thursday, Mar 03, 2011

http://www.hindu.com/2011/03/03/stories/2011030357320500.htm

Work on Raja Marga to be over by Dasara 2011

Raja Marga

Under the revised plan, the work on establishing a Raja Marga (on Jamboo Savari route) at a cost of Rs. 16 crore will be taken up till the Government Ayurveda College Circle on Sayyaji Rao Road. Instructions had been given to the officials to complete the project by next Dasara 2011.

Mysore City Corporation (MCC) to butcher / slaughter 293 trees for an international standard / level and/or truly world class treeless hallucinatory Royal Path called the Raja Marga in Mysore.

Centre approves Rs. 39.45 cr. JNNURM project - Star of Mysore, Sunday, May 08, 2011

Palace surroundings to get facelift



























The area around the world-famous Mysore Palace is to be further developed into a heritage zone, along with widening of the roads and providing various amenities for the tourists.

The ambitious project is to be completed in a year's time, according to officials who say that in keeping with the Raja Marga, work on which is already underway, the area around the Palace too will be developed to blend with the heritage monument.

The four-package project prepared by the Tourism Department has been granted approval by the Centre. It will be implemented by the Mysore City Corporation.

The total cost of the project is Rs. 39.45 crore, of which the Centre (through JNNURM) will provide Rs. 31.56 cr. while the State Govt. and the Tourism Dept. will chip in Rs. 3.95 cr. each.

The project will be inaugurated by District In-Charge Minister S.A. Ramdas at the Town Hall at 11 am tomorrow (on Monday, May 9, 2011).

Road development: Under Package I of the project, the 1.65 kms long road near the Palace - from Hardinge Circle to K.R. Circle via Gun House Circle and Rachaiah Circle - will be upgraded at a cost of Rs. 16.73 crore. The road will be widened from the existing 12.5 mts to 16 mts and asphalted. Road dividers, spacious footpath for pedestrians, concrete drains, utility ducts, stone railings, electricity poles, Sarot stand, toilets, information kiosks, drinking water facility, snacks counters, signboards and stone benches designed in sync with the heritage aura will be provided.

Sarot stand: Under Package II, parking spaces for Sarots (horse-driven carriages) will be provided at 20 spots in the city, for which Rs. 2.23 crore will be earmarked. Each stand will have space for parking 5 sarots.

Parking space: Under Package III, basement-level parking facility for light motor vehicles will be provided at the Town Hall premises at a cost of Rs. 17.66 crore. The package also includes development of the Town Hall exteriors, a generator room, fire-fighting equipment. An open air theatre with a seating capacity for 1000 persons, a dais measuring 25x15 metres in area, green room and toilets will be constructed near the Town Hall premises, along with landscaping, parks, electric lights, rain-water harvesting, water storage tanks and sumps.

Town Hall interiors: Under Package IV, interiors of the Town Hall will be developed at a cost of Rs. 2.83 crore which comprises flooring work, new seats, toilets renovation, plumbing, acoustics (wall paneling and ceiling works), air-conditioning, generator, lighting and painting.

Designing and estimates for the project has been prepared by Sthoop Consultancy, Bangalore and Locus Consultancy. Contract for packages 1, 3 and 4 have been awarded to Chhabras Associates, Secunderabad while package 2 has been awarded to M.D. Theertharaju, Hassan, through tender process.

Areas around Mysore Palace, Town Hall to get a facelift soon The Hindu, Tuesday, May 10, 2011

http://www.hindu.com/2011/05/10/stories/2011051053780500.htm

JNNURM to spend Rs.39.45 crore on development works

The areas around the Town Hall and the Mysore Palace, identified as core heritage zone, will get a facelift under a project sponsored by the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission(JNNURM). An amount of Rs.39.45 crore will be spent for this purpose.

Minister for Medical Education S.A. Ramdas, who is also in charge of the district, laid the foundation stone for the works on Monday, May 09, 2011.

This is the first heritage development project being taken up under JNNURM, although Mysore was identified as a beneficiary city in view of its heritage value and tourist importance. The deadline is May 2012. The project is being implemented by the Department of Tourism through the Mysore City Corporation and has four components.

Under the first component, main roads leading to the Palace will be improved and the surroundings embellished to enhance its ambience at a cost of Rs.16.73 crore.

The project envisages widening of the existing road from 12.5 metres to 16 metres. The 1.65 km-long road around the Palace connecting Hardinge Circle, Gun House, Rachaiah Circle, and K.R.Circle will be covered under this component.

The embellishment work also includes installation of electricity poles, whose design will synchronize with the heritage ambience, laying of aesthetically designed pedestrian pathways, stone or steel railings along the pathway, designer signages, construction of toilets and drinking water facilities, creating metal benches or seating arrangements, incorporating classical designs among others.

The second component entails construction of tonga stands at nearly 20 places at an estimated cost of Rs.2.23 crore to give a fillip to the fledgling tongas, for which Mysore was renowned in the past.

The third component entails embellishment of the Town Hall precincts and its surrounding areas at a cost of Rs.17.66 crore. This includes creating parking facilities at the basement, an open air theatre for cultural activities with a seating capacity of 1,000 people, landscaping of the entire area, development of the park, illumination, and rain water harvesting.

The fourth package will focus on improving the Town Hall interiors by replacing the chairs, reinforcing the structure, providing new and concealed lighting and improving the acoustics inside the auditorium.

The original plan was revised by the Central Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee of the JNNURM.

Separate authority for development of city, dist Deccan Herald Tuesday, May 10, 2011

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/160217/separate-authority-development-city-dist.html

Medical Education and District In-Charge Minister S A Ramdas said the State Government is seriously considering forming separate authority for the development of the city and district.

He was speaking at the foundation stone laying ceremony of 'Heritage Zone Development' projects being taken up jointly by Mysore City Corporation (MCC) and Karnataka Tourism Department under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JnNURM), here on Monday, May 09, 2011.

Indicating that the several existing authorities would be brought under one umbrella organisation, Ramdas opined that it would help in overall development of the city and district.

Underlining the importance of maintaining beauty and cleanliness of the city, he said that plans are afoot to create a biogas plant to generate gas from the waste collected at Devaraja Market. He said the gas generated would be supplied to K R Hospital for providing hot water to patients. At the same time, it would help keep the city clean, he added.

Advocating the need to shift the City Bus Stand, Ramdas said that the decision would be taken after holding discussions with various quarters of the society. He also urged for making the heart of the city 'smoke free'. He stressed on creating parking lots near K R Hospital and Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens.

MCC Commissioner K S Raykar said that the projects have been divided into four packages.

Under the first package roads surrounding the Amba Vilas Palace would be developed at a cost of Rs.16.73 crore.

The second package would include construction of 20 buildings in various parts of the city for housing sarots and tongas at a cost of  Rs.2.23 crore.

The third package is aimed at constructing two-levels of underground parking facility at the Town Hall premises and construction of an 'Open air theatre', which will be capable to seating 1,000 persons.

The Town Hall would be renovated at a cost of Rs.2.83 crore under the fourth package.

He said that contractors have been given a timeline of one year (May 2011 to May 2012) to complete all the work.

This for the first time that MCC is officially constructing a parking lot. He said that people parking their vehicles at Town Hall would be able to use 10 battery operated vehicles to commute to Amba Vilas Palace and Zoo. He said that even though plans underway to shift the City Bus Stand to the Mofussil Bus Stand, there is stiff opposition. Meanwhile, CBS was also renovated causing the shifting to be postponed by five years.

Mayor Pushpalatha T B Chikkanna, JNNURM Superintendent Engineer Suresh Babu, Zoo Authority of Karnataka Chairman M Nanjundaswamy, Karnataka Exhibition Authority Chairman B P Manjunath, councillors M K Shankar, Ninganna, Pradeep, Pushpalatha Jagannath, Mahadevamma, Ratnamma, A V Vidya, Sunandakumar, Nandakumar, Shivakumar, M V Ramprasad and Jayashankaraswamy were present.

Town Hall to be closed for a year

The Town Hall will remain closed for one year (May 2011 to May 2012) due to the renovation work. The renovated premises will be air conditioned and have new seating arrangements. MCC Commissioner K S Raykar said that nominal fee hike would be fixed once the Town Hall is renovated.

Complaint: Maladministration / Misgovernance of Mysore City Roads and Dereliction of Duty

Complainant: Syed Tanveeruddin resident of Siddharthanagar, Mysore

Respondents:
01) Commissioner, Mysore City Corporation (MCC)
02) Deputy Commissioner (DC), Mysore
03) Conservator of Forests (CF), Mysore Circle
04) Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF), Mysore
05) Chairman and Managing Director (CMD), Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation / Company Limited (CESC / CHESCOM).
06) General Manager (GM), Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL).
07) Commissioner, Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA)
08) Chief Secretary, Government of Karnataka.
09) Secretary Union Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD)
10) Principal Secretary Urban Development (Secy UD), Government of Karnataka (GoK)
11) Principal Secretary Tourism, Government of Karnataka (GoK)

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